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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

We're Praising God For Food Poisoning

When was the last time you thanked the Lord for giving your husband food poisoning? I'm guessing your answer would be, ummm, never!

Yet today I am thanking God for allowing my husband to have a very bad case of food poisoning. If he hadn't had it, things in his life and mine, could have been much, much worse!

I know it doesn't seem logical to how our brains work. Food poisoning equals good just does not add up, but when God is in control, and He always is, food poisoning does equal good, always!

Let me explain. About 6 weeks ago our whole family was sick with the flu. We just kept passing it back and forth between everyone here in the house. During that time we didn't notice the tiny cut on one of my husband's toes. In fact the cut was between two toes, so it was even less noticeable. How often do you look between your own toes yet alone your husband's?

The flu subsided, but the cut did not. My husband is diabetic and cuts of any kind can be bad, but on their feet they can be really bad, fast! And that is what happened. His small cut became a really nasty infected cut. So he went to the doctor and started a round of internal antibiotics and I was cleaning and bandaging the toe itself. Back and forth to the doctor (his endocrinologist) and for a while they said things were looking better.

Three rounds of antibiotics later we noticed that the toe seemed to be getting better, but I kept asking him if we should get another opinion. He said things would be fine, like he always does, and I prayed! Something inside me said it was worse than we thought and it would just keep getting worse. If your husband (or spouse) is anything like mine, I am sure you can understand someone who is just a smidge stubborn! Okay, maybe a LOT stubborn!

He was going to work. He was running errands. He was meeting friends. He was going to church. The whole time he hurt and he hurt a lot and kept looking paler and paler. His excuse, waiting on the insurance to get approved. Yep, he really was waiting on the insurance because he knew no matter what it was we could not afford the medical bills without it.

But God had a different plan than Rick's! He often does. God knows a whole lot more about what needs to happen when and how than we do and I am so thankful for that.

Rick came home from work feeling cruddy. As the day progressed her got worse and worse until I said I was taking him to the hospital and I didn't care what he said. No objections this time! So off we went and he got checked out. I insisted that while he was there they look at his toe. I am so glad they did. Several blood tests and x-rays later the surgeon on call came in and said that the infection in his toe had eaten away most of his bone. That's a scary thought! He needed surgery and as soon as possible.

The next afternoon (about 10 hours later) he had the middle toe on his left foot removed. The surgeon, who was absolutely marvelous, said he was extremely pleased with the surgery and that he was confident they got all the infection. Rick remained on iv antibiotics for two more days in the hospital and oral when he got home as a precaution, but all the doctors, nurses and physical therapists who worked with him have said they are very happy with how well the foot (and the rest of Rick) is doing.

God works in mysterious ways to accomplish what He knows is best for us. While Rick was in the hospital we found out how mysteriously He does work. The very day that Rick went into the hospital our insurance kicked in! How's that for timing? When I think about it, all I can really do is smile at how everything worked out so well. Not once did either of us panic or freak out. The whole time we were calm and knew God was completely in control. That is such a peaceful feeling!

Rick is doing great now. He looks better than he has for over a month. He has more energy, has little to no pain, is getting around well, even driving. He will be off work for about 3 weeks, but I can handle that and so can he! We are thanking God for the blessing of food poisoning. Without it we may have waited longer and the probability of the infection spreading throughout his whole foot or even his whole body was great! God allowed Rick to go on the way he was just long enough. No, losing a toe is not fun, but sometimes the Lord allows things in our lives to get our attention, slow us down, and help us to remember to lean on Him, to rest in Him.